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subtext Definition

sub·text (subtekst′)

noun

  1. the complex of feelings, motives, etc. conceived of by an actor as underlying the actual words and actions of the character being portrayed
  2. an underlying meaning, theme, etc.

subtext Related Forms
sub·tex·tual adjective
subtext Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • story: Our Last Day's Holiday It's about now that I'll let the titles express the subtext of this story.
  • book: If the subtext of this book is to make men anxious about their masculinity, then Thomas misses his own point.
  • aspiration: This world of beautiful women, handsome men and rags-to-riches stories belies a subtext of social aspiration and entrenched racial hierarchies.
  • poster: You know the one's I mean, where the subtext of the poster is ' beware, we're watching you!
  • play: He wants to restore the political messages and subtext of the plays.

Converse of object

  • add: On the other hand, Morton acts her socks off to add subtext, raw emotion and a true sense of desperation.
  • have: The image also has an imperial subtext - the idea of India offering her riches to Europe.
  • understand: Has the Merchant understood the subtext of his story, or is it simply a fabliau about a bad wife to him?
  • provide: Indeed, the cornerstone of State sovereignty provides an abiding subtext to assertions of rights of transit.
  • read: Reading supposed subtexts can be nothing other than subjective unless she has a papyrus with the code on it.
  • explore: Julien explores the ambiguous sexual subtexts of a period of rich artistic expression, and the enduring cultural significance of these pioneers ' work.

Preposition: for

  • film: The extras are both attractive and extensive, establishing a historical and cultural subtext for the feature film.

Adjective modifier

  • political: Yet in each story there is also a suppressed political subtext.
  • emotional: In such cases, the emotional subtext enters into the meaning of the text.
  • religious: In this more secular tragic kingdom, the religious subtext will go undetected by many.
  • strong: The characters don't say much, and when they do there's a strong subtext that lets us see inside them.

Browse dictionary entries near subtext

  1. subterranean
  2. subterfuge
  3. subter-
  4. subtend
  5. subtenant
  6. subtemperate
  7. subteen
  8. subtangent
  9. subsystem
  10. subsurface
  1. subtile
  2. subtilize
  3. subtitle
  4. subtle
  5. subtlety
  6. subtonic
  7. subtopic
  8. subtotal
  9. subtract
  10. subtraction